i would suggest getting a list of last years buyers and making a couple personal visits to some of the businesses...you could say something like "my name is........., im in the (name of your club), this is my first year taking a market steer, i just wanted to thank you for supporting the 4-h/ffa livestock auction in the past and invite you to attend this years sale also!" then give them some kind of literature with sale information on it....it will make an impression with buyers...but i dont think you should say 'will you please buy my animal?" that kind of puts the buyer on the spot, and makes them uncomfortable if maybe they support by buying a pen of rabbits rather than a market steer, huge cost difference between the two! main thing is to show your appreciation for their support to the program...
here's what most kids at our fair do....
day of the sale, clean! clean! clean!!! everything is spotless! if they sold something last year, there is a poster up thanking last years buyers! it being your first year, you could make a sign stating this is your first year and have it hanging above your animal... most kids are ready to greet buyers an hour or two before the sale starts...be with your animal...so you can greet buyers as they walk thru the barns, introduce yourself to them, tell them a little about your project (like your steers name, breed, weight, and something fun you've experienced or learned with the project), and thank them for coming!!!!!! ...be creative! you could make a flyer with cute pictures of you and your animal on it to pass out...
in the ring, most people set their animals up....make a few circles....sometimes the animals get nervous because its a small area, lots of people, and a real loud auctioneer screaming into a microphone, just dont try to do to much....make eye contact with the audience and smile!!! but if you feel the need to cry...its ok too!
as soon as our kids walk out of the ring and they put their animal back in the stall, they deliver a picture and a "supporter" banner to the buyer and give them a quick thank you....then they go back to their stall and put up a new "thank you (buyer) for buying my 2011 market steer" sign, so alot of times when the sale is over and everyone leaves, they already see their name above the animal they just bought....buyers like to see their names above animals as supporting the youth of the community